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Friday, March 26, 2010

Seeking the Perfect...

There has been much discussion of late in the blogosphere on the subject of buying multiple, identical items (or the same item in various colors). This post isn’t so much about multiples…it’s about permutations.

I’ve been fixated on the idea of the perfect gray cardigan for years now. It’s that cardigan that goes with everything, is appropriate for every occasion, and makes you look fabulous. I can’t help it, every time I enter a shop, I’m on the lookout for the gray cardis. Could this be it? Is this the holy grail of gray cardigans? As a result, I have a few of them in my wardrobe.

1. Things started off with the gray cardigan (with a detachable faux-fur collar!) from New York and Company. Then someone commented that it was too bulky and I cast it aside.

2. Very soon after, I found another, lighter, knit at Wet Seal and declared it “perfect!” But then I noticed that one side grew to be longer than the other and continued the search.

3. I found a cute gray Bitten cardi at Steve & Barry’s, but there was only an XS left. I bought it and wore it only twice because it was truly extra small.

4. The next one, from Pangaea, looked to be perfect and had pockets to boot! But the fitted shape, while great with jeans, didn’t work with my a-line skirts.

5. Then (oh, this is getting ridiculous), I found a light-as-air cardi with chiffon trim at Wal*Mart. It’s pretty, but not quite structured enough.

6. I ordered an adorable, scrunched-sleeve cardigan from Forever 21. It is a perfect fit except that I can only (barely) button it across my chest. There is no chance of buttoning it around my hips.

7. Lastly, I bought a short-sleeved cardigan from TJ Maxx that looked great in the dressing room but has disappointed me at home.

The saddest thing of all is that I don’t even have a mental picture of this “perfect” gray cardi. I’ll just know it when I find it.

I really believe that there are two things I will never find: The perfect pair of black heels; magically comfortable enough to wear on the concrete of the theater and stylish enough to go to happy hour.

A black cardi, in fact your quest for a grey one is very similar to mine that has spanned years and years.

I'm looking for something gray too, although I haven't been looking super hard. When I stop in somewhere I look for a long-sleeved (or even short) T-shirt in gray...that ISN'T PALE AND HEATHERED.

Why is that so tough? You'll see a line of T-shirts in 9 solids...and a light heathered gray. All. The. Time.

Well I don't wear sweats in public and I don't want to look like I'm on some sweaty sports team! Those stupid heathered Ts are just not appropriate for anything but working out. :P And they also don't look that great with my pale complexion.

On the other hand...I DO have a gray cardi that's heathered, but it's more of a gray on gray and has no white in it. I got it at a thrift store, it's the most basic drapy microfiber shrunken V-neck thin layer of a thingy from Ann Taylor that closes with hooks, and I didn't think it would be half so useful but it IS. Turns out to be one of my most versatile and easy pieces.

I don't think I've ever pinpointed my reasons for wanting to buy permutations of the same item before, so thank you for the insight! I made myself stop buying yellow sweaters after two, but they're not the right ones. That one is still out there!

Button-downs and jackets that are cut for bigger chests without being giants tents on the bottom, requiring infinite tailoring. I found a brand once that was cut perfectly, but it was definitely styled for...ahem...an older generation. All the cute ones are cut for small chests.

Flats. I need shoes to wear with all the pairs of pants I own that are slightly too short for shoes with any kind of lift. Unfortunately, I have terrible ankles and my feet need arch support, so I can't wear the beautiful flatter-than-flats that are out there.

Kasmira, I was actually going to suggest you look at Kohl's as well. but Londyn beat me to it ;)...I am a new reader to Londyn's and your blog. Love them both!!!! so many ideas. I live in the surrounding area of cincinnati. anyway thank you for blogging you have opened soooo many avenues for me in fashion!!.

There are many "perfect" items I have yet to find... mostly shoes! Brown, flat-heeled boots, black mary janes with a heel that are not a) dr scholls looking or b) sexy nurse looking. The right size heel that is comfy enough for 9 hr days and not clunky also eludes me.

The cardigan though, too, is a mystery. I buy tons of them, they're never just right. But it's fun to keep trying. That what thrift stores are for!